Korean Job Discussion Forums

[aphasia83]

As it's better to try on a pack before buying it, I am attempting to find an affordable place to buy a hiking backpack in Korea for traveling next year. Can anyone help? I live in Busan but am willing to make the journey to Seoul or elsewhere.

Thanks!

[Arthur Dent]

I would be very surprised if there were no place in Busan to find a backpack. However, I have never been there so I cannot advise you where to look. The problem may not be so much where to find one but where to find a good one that fits you. It really depends on how tall you are.

You are looking for a large pack such as one for traveling and trekking as well? I bought a 65 liter pack in Jongno O Ga. That should be big enough for traveling. It is an Arcteryx. Not a copy, the real thing. Not cheap either. About 3 or 4 hundred.

However, it is a little small. If I were going on a long hike for two weeks I wouldn't have bought it but it is fine for fishing trips where I am mostly staying in one place, or for traveling when you are 'going light,' and simply want a bag you can stuff things into when you need to - such as souvenirs you are just going to ship when you can.

They generally don't have packs for long-backed people here. Simply no market for it.

I can't give you precise directions, but the camping store area is within one block of the subway exit - towards the Cheongyecheon. There are several, so look around the whole area to get an idea of what's available. The best one I found was in the alleys, in from the street.

I have seen other stores in different areas - near Yongsan, near Namdaemun, and Samgakgji I think (hard to find but a really good store - though not cheap), but this is the largest concentration of shops I have seen.

I did see a Coleman store near Apgujeong station but I haven't been in it so I don't know what they carry.

Though climbing is popular here (and hiking), long distance travel on foot is nearly unheard of from what I can tell.

Good Luck! Let me know what you find, maybe you will discover what I have not!

Edit: I should mention the above places are in Seoul, as I have no idea whether you are familiar with the subway station names mentioned.

Hope the Aphasia clears up...

[tefain]

You won't need to go to Seoul. They have larger backpacks in any of the outdoor shops here. I'm not sure of the exact locations, but I'm sure there's some shops around Seomyun downtown (or most any shopping area). They have Northface, K2, Kolping, Columbia, Nepa and many others.

[GoldMember]

Where to buy a backpack?

You have got to be kidding. Here we are in the hiking capital of the universe and someone asks where to buy a backpack!
Ok if the question was where to buy ballet slippers made from the underside of a yak, I could understand the difficulty-but a backpack!
Whats next, where to buy bananas, or kimchi.

[IAMAROBOT]

[ajgeddes]

[ReeseDog]

Make friends with a soldier. Go on post to clothing sales. Get a good ruck.

[sonicmatt]

make your own. all you need is a stick and piece of cloth. put items in cloth and then tie cloth onto stick. there ya go. cost you maybe 1,000 won

[NoExplode]

Have one made in Itaewon.

[sojourner1]

I think it's a legit question as I hadn't seen any large packs for sale as they're mostly small for day hiking trips; not ATW trips lasting in excess of 1 year like we do or even short 1 month treks to India or Thailand. Koreans are day trippers and weekend warriors for the most part so they make em' mostly small. Koreans tend to use wheeled luggage for big trips instead of large backpacks. Since Korea manufactures hiking and camping gear for export and they do make larger westerner gear, but don't sell much of it in Korea though, I'm sure a few select stores in Seoul carry it.

I know there's a line of expensive hiking gear stores that might have a large pack intended for expeditions along Namdaemoon market; not within the gated area, but along the street running aside. I'd expect it'd cost 2 to 4 times more than a new one at full retail price in a western country. I was lucky to pick up a used 65 liter Osprey in new condition in a thrift store at home for $5 that's served me well for 2 years now showing no signs of falling or splitting apart.

[harryh]

I've seen a number of big backpacks at K2, North Face, K2 etc in Nampodong.

[Tobias]

You've got plenty of time, so just watch the Buy & Sell section here. Someone will come along soon enough selling exactly what you're looking for. It's this or K2 there in Busan...or eBay.